An unimpressive fall TV season comes to an end

Nov. 23, 2011

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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ABC's attempt at rebooting the popular 1970s show "Charlie's Angels" with (from left) Rachael Taylor, Minka Kelly and Annie Ilonzeh met with disaster. For other triumphs and failures of the fall TV season, continue through the slide show. GLENN WATSON, ABC

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The first decade of the new century was the strongest in TV history; so far, decade two is not matching up. In fact, fall 2011 ranks as the worst since the Watcher started whining in this space, back when the “Survivor” season count was still in single digits. I'm not the only one lacking in enthusiasm. The top-rated new series, CBS's awful “2 Broke Girls,” checked in at No. 17 in last week's Nielsen ratings. TEXT BY MICHAEL HEWITT, FOR THE REGISTER, PHOTO BY ARREN MICHAELS, WARNER BROS.

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Even new shows that the networks are touting as “hits,” like Fox's “New Girl,” CBS's “Person of Interest” or ABC's “Revenge,” are successes only when compared with the junk heap of the rest of the season. TEXT BY MICHAEL HEWITT, FOR THE REGISTER, PHOTO BYPATRICK MCELHENNEY, FOX

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Best new series? That would be Showtime's “Homeland,” by a landslide. The back-to-back twists of the past two episodes have only elevated its status. Claire Danes and Damien Lewis deserve some serious consideration when Emmy time rolls around again. TEXT BY MICHAEL HEWITT, FOR THE REGISTER, PHOTO BYKENT SMITH, SHOWTIME

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You could make a strong set of Emmy nominees just from British and Australian actors playing American characters. Besides Lewis, it would include Charlie Hunnam of “Sons of Anarchy" (shown)” Hugh Laurie of “House,” Simon Baker of “The Mentalist” and John Noble of “Fringe.” TEXT BY MICHAEL HEWITT, FOR THE REGISTER, PHOTO BYPRASHANT GUPTA, FX

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Of course, the likely winner is going to be Bryan Cranston of “Breaking Bad” once again. I'm pretty sure his American accent is natural. TEXT BY MICHAEL HEWITT, FOR THE REGISTER, PHOTO BYURSULA COYOTE, AMC

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Fall's most talked-about British import, “The X Factor” turned out to be neither the hit that Simon Cowell promised nor that disaster that some of us secretly hoped for – but it is slowly working its way toward the latter status. Fox quickly renewed the show for a second season after it opened strongly, but “The X Factor” ratings are headed in the wrong direction. Tuesday's performance episode couldn't even manage 10 million viewers. TEXT BY MICHAEL HEWITT, FOR THE REGISTER, PHOTO BYMICHAEL BECKER, FOX

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“The X Factor” has two big problems: One, it takes itself far too seriously: the overwrought production, the bombastic music, the obsessive need to wring tears from the contestants and the judges at every possible moment. “American Idol” succeeds in part because it is often casual and funny. Two, every episode is the same. Each contestant sounds exactly the same from week to week. The judges react the same way and banter with each other in the same manner. The only surprise comes at the end of the results episode. TEXT BY MICHAEL HEWITT, FOR THE REGISTER, PHOTO BYFRANK MICELOTTA, FOX

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The saddest note of the fall: “The Office” just isn't the same without Michael Scott. The Watcher held out hope that Robert California (James Spader) would be an adequate replacement, but it hasn't worked out. I'm not sure that the cast change is the core issue. It seems that after seven seasons, “The Office” has simply run out of gas. Or should we say, the copier has run out of paper? TEXT BY MICHAEL HEWITT, FOR THE REGISTER, PHOTO BYCHRIS HASTON, NBC

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Hang in there, folks. January – and “American Idol,” “Luck,” “Justified” and “30 Rock” – will be here before we know it. TEXT BY MICHAEL HEWITT, FOR THE REGISTER, PHOTO BYMICHAEL BECKER, FOX

ABC's attempt at rebooting the popular 1970s show "Charlie's Angels" with (from left) Rachael Taylor, Minka Kelly and Annie Ilonzeh met with disaster. For other triumphs and failures of the fall TV season, continue through the slide show.GLENN WATSON, ABC

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